Fishing Guide Business Owner Arrested On Fraud Charges

CUMMING, GA – A Cumming business owner was arrested on deception and fraud charges July 18 for claiming false boat sales and large boat deals that never closed, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.

Authorities began investigating Bradley Shane Watson, of Shane Watson's Guide Service, located on Matt Highway, in May. During the investigation, multiple complainants came forward from Forsyth County and different jurisdictions claiming false boat sales and large boat deals that never closed. After multiple interviews in Forsyth County, review of banking records and search warrants, FCSO detectives secured four arrest warrants for Watson.

Watson was arrested and taken to the Forsyth County Detention Center on three felony counts of theft by deception and one count of felony deposit account fraud, bad checks.

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According to the website, Shane Watson's Guide Service offered to "guide you to the 'Fish of a Lifetime' on the nation’s premier striper lake. We specialize in live baiting and trolling for stripers using the most modern techniques and equipment available. We are a full time professional guide service, fully licensed and insured with a 'Lifetime of Experience' on Lake Lanier."

Aiken County, South Carolina, Hall County and Milton Police have also issued arrest warrants for Watson in regards to bad checks. In the following weeks there will be other warrants from other jurisdictions and more from Forsyth County, police say.

Graphic courtesy Forsyth County Sheriff's Office